Men’s Basketball Falls to Chicago State

Box score.

YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team returned to action here at the Convocation Center tonight, dropping its final contest prior to the beginning of the Mid-American Conference portion of the schedule, 72-68, to the visiting Cougars of Chicago State University.

Leading the way for the Eagles (4-8) was senior wing Jessie Bunkley (Detroit, Mich.-CMA (Mott C.C.)) with 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-9 from behind the arc. Sophomore center Justin Dobbins (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) also chipped in 15 for the Eagles on 4-of-7 shooting. Senior guard Travis Lewis (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Loy Norrix) notched a game-best 11 rebounds on the evening. For the Cougars (5-12), David Holston, the nation’s leading three-point shooter, poured in 26 points on 8-of-17 shooting including 4-of-9 from long range.

Chicago State opened the game with back-to-back three pointers by Mike Wilson and Holston to take an early 6-2 lead at the 17:44 mark of the first half. Dobbins would lead an EMU surge, tying the game at eight behind two lay-ups and a dunk.

After trading baskets over the next six minutes, the Eagles would capture the lead, using a 20-7 run, holding the Cougars to just two field goals during the span. Bunkley would get into the mix, making good on two three-pointers for the Green and White. Eastern would hold on for the 38-35 halftime lead.

The Eagles shot 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from the field in the first half while the Cougars shot 46.2 percent (12-of-36). Behind the arc both teams shot well, with CSU holding a slight 50.0 percent (6-of-12) to 46.7 percent (7-of-15) advantage. Pacing EMU was Dobbins with 10 points, while Chicago State was led by Holston with 13 points.

EMU increased its lead to as many as eight, 46-38) in the opening minutes of the second half on two redshirt freshman Will Cooper (Detroit, Mich.-Pershing Bridgton (Maine) Acad.) free throws at the 16:49 mark. Chicago State answered by going on a 21-5 run over the next eight minutes to take a 61-53 lead, which was keyed by two Holston three-pointers.

A senior Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright) lay-up at the 5:29 mark would bring EMU to within one, 61-60, but the Cougars would manage to hold on down the stretch. CSU’s Tawrence Walton converted on 3-of-4 free throw attempts in the final 30 seconds to secure the win.

The Eagles will be in action next when they travel to in-state rival Central Michigan University, opening MAC action Sunday, Jan. 6. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at Rose Area in Mount Pleasant, Mich. The action can be seen on Comcast Local television, cable channel 8 in the Ypsilanti area.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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